Arturia launches new synth and sequencer

Say hello to the MatrixBrute and Keystep

MatrixBrute is an all-singing, all-dancing analogue beast while Keystep is aimed at those in search of portable sequencing at an affordable price

Arturia
took advantage of the NAMM show in Anaheim, California this week to
debut two new products, the MatrixBrute analogue synthesizer and the
Keystep keyboard sequencer.

The
MatrixBrute (pictured) is a 49-key, semi-modular, mono/duophonic
analogue synth that Arturia says "brings back the fun and the
immediate hands-on experience of synthesis", which is another way
of saying there's a knob for everything - no fiddling around in
sub-menus required! There are three analogue oscillators, three LFOs,
a combination VCO/LFO oscillator, a white/pink/blue/red noise
generator, three envelope generators, Steiner-Parker and Ladder
filters and, at its heart, The Matrix itself, a 16x16 grid that's
used for modulation routing and step-sequencing. You can store up to
256 of your sounds as presets, while five onboard analogue FX,
pitchbend and mod wheels complete the spec-sheet.

Meanwhile,
the Keystep is a new keyboard-based sequencer that, like the
company's existing Beatstep and Beatstep Pro sequencers, is designed
to be used to control other studio hardware. This ultra-portable unit
offers MIDI I/O, USB MIDI I/O, Sync I/O and CV/Gate outputs, eight
polyphonic step sequences, chord play mode and capacitive-touch
pitch-bend and mod wheels.

Prices
for the two machines are still TBC, but expect to pay around £200
for the Keystep... and a lot, lot more for the MatrixBrute! Below, you can see Arturia's own video introducing the MatrixBrute.